“I don’t think anybody thinks we are going to completely prevent everybody from getting PTSD,” Hammer said. “But we can minimize the impact. It is much like how we have better helmets, better surgical procedures.”

Once home from the war, Blair, the wounded sergeant, was buoyed by camaraderie among wounded Marines, the aviation community, kayakers and many others. He agreed to speak at the upcoming conference because he hopes his experiences will inspire others nursing physical and mental wounds.

“It is easy for guys to fall through the cracks, but you don’t have to sit around in your room,” he said. “You can get out and do things.”

Blair recently took a ride in a vintage Russian propeller plane. The pilot treated him to barrel rolls, half-Cubans and upside-down loop-the-loops.

For someone who still has trouble walking, soaring in the skies was a rush.

“It is great for the mind, body and spirit,” Blair said. “It is nice being up there, close to God.”